The Book Hero team love taking a break from reading books to play board games - whether it's at lunch time with some of the team, at home with their children, or with friends on a night off.
We've rounded up the team to share the games they've been loving lately with you - it's a wide range so something for everyone and some great options if you're looking for your next gift!
Tim W's Pick: Nemesis
My recent favourite board game is Nemesis. I play Dungeons & Dragons with friends, and if we’re missing a player we play a board game instead. This was our last pick!
Nemesis is a sci-fi survival game set on a giant spaceship where you’re trying to complete your own objectives, avoid the aliens, and ideally make it out alive. Everyone is 'technically' working together, but each player has secret goals, so you’re never fully sure who you can trust.
There were lots of intense moments, like giant aliens suddenly appearing, rooms catching on fire, and everyone pretending they definitely weren’t up to anything suspicious. It took us a few hours to play through, and I did manage to escape in a pod… only to discover I was carrying a deadly virus... oops.
Shirl's Pick: Sky Team
Sky Team is such a great two player co-op game, who knew you could have so much fun trying to land a plane! I love the set up of the cockpit main board containing little nobs and an axis that you need to manage as pilot or co-pilot. Add in communication restrictions to the mix and it means games can get quite suspenseful and tense.
There are a few airports to land in depending on difficulty so it never feels repetitive as you encounter new challenges like fuel management or ice. I found it easy to learn and the games weren't too long either. It's the perfect game for two people and it's always so satisfying when you manage to land a plane successfully!
Tim the Toyman's Pick: Loopin' Louie
Look no further If you are after a quick, fun 'party' game that is great for young and old alike... Loopin' Louie is the game! Not your 'typical' board game - this isn't turn based its all on with 'Louie' flying around in a loop trying to swoop down & 'steal' your chickens.
The player's job is to 'bump' him away & hopefully onto another players chickens. The winner is the person who still has chickens when everyone else has lost theirs.
I'm the polar opposite of a 'board gamer' but this game is easy to learn but hard to master - Loopin Louie really is a game that can be pulled out of the cupboard for any occasion & everyone will be playing within a couple of minutes with lots of laughs & player competition sure to ensure... just buy it!! You won't go wrong! 🙂
Lizzy's Pick: Poetry for Neanderthals
I was introduced to this game at our team game night and had a sore face from laughing so hard by the end of it. I've since bought myself the standard game, and bought a friend the NSFW version as a gift and both are SO fun. I also love that this is a game that works great for large groups, but is also fun for two players.
Poetry for Neanderthals is similar to games like Taboo or Articulate in that you're trying to get your team member/s to guess the words on the card. The fun twist here is that you can only use single syllables, and there's an inflatable bat for someone to whack you with when you inevitably mess up. The scoring system is super nice and simple, the game is quick to pick up, and it really does make the perfect addition to any games night.
Eve's Pick: Blokus
One of my favourite, and easy go-to games is Blokus! The aim of the game is to block other people, whilst thinking ahead to fit all your tiles on the board.
A simple game that you can easily play over and over again. Best played with four players, to make it more difficult, and more easier to block (aka annoy) your fellow competitors!
Dylan's Pick: Settlers of Catan
I love playing Catan with my friends - it's an oldie but a goodie, so everyone already knows how to play (and there are plenty of expansions). I like that the rules are relatively simple, but there's still plenty of strategy involved.
Every game plays out differently depending on the resources you get, where you build, and how well you negotiate with everyone else (or don't...we have a rule...never trade with Chris). Best of all, it can be over in a couple of hours. I don't really enjoy games that go much longer than that - my attention span is too short :P
Roopa's Pick: Piles
Piles! was an instant hit with my girls, the fast-paced gameplay had us all laughing and competing to find matches as quickly as possible. The rules are simple enough that they were able to pick it up quickly, and I love that they can now get it out and play by themselves without needing any help.
Lizzy's Other Pick: The Bluey Boardgames!
We've been training up our 4 year old so that she can join in game nights and our current game is Monopoly Junior - Bluey edition, but we started with The Creek Pop Game which is such a great simple introduction. She loves Bluey, I always have a soft spot for Monopoly, and these ones are perfect for learning some nice simple game play before we move on to more complex games next. There's a couple others in the range too that I would love to try out with her!
Amelia's Pick: Flamecraft
Flamecraft is one of my favourite games to play as a family and I've even played it a couple of times as a solo game while everyone else sleeps in.
A very cute strategy game with a collaborative element to it and while the size of the rulebook was a bit intimidating, the rules were straightforward enough for us to pick up quickly and enjoy the game.
I definitely recommend Flamecraft if you're looking for a cosy game to play either with a group or solo.
